Trent Bridge

Wood & ShafayatTo Be Released

Featured News | 9th September 2010

Nottinghamshire batsmen Bilal Shafayat and Matt Wood have been informed that they won’t be offered new deals at Trent Bridge.

Shafayat has spent the past three seasons at Notts, his home county, after returning from a spell at Northants.

He made his Nottinghamshire debut in 2001 but averaged 11.80 in 6 LV= County Championship matches in 2010.

“The decision not to offer new terms to Bilal was a very difficult one because he has a long association with the club and his attitude and approach has always been exemplary,” said Nottinghamshire Director of Cricket Mick Newell.

“Unfortunately he hasn’t produced the consistency that we require which is why we have decided to let him go. Other players have overtaken him in the pecking order and we want to give those players an opportunity to show that they can hold down a place in the team.”

Wood joined from Somerset in 2008 and averaged 24.66 in four LV= County Championship matches this season.

“Matt joined us with a brief to score runs at the top of the order but he hasn’t been able to do that with any consistency in four-day cricket,” said Newell.

“I expect that there will be interest in Bilal and Matt from other counties and I hope that they both achieve success at their next club.”

Newell hopes that players within the squad will take advantage of opportunities to feature in first team cricket next season.

“Alex Hales has established himself in our side in all formats and we’re keen to give more opportunities to Akhil Patel and Scott Elstone who have shown promise in the Clydesdale Bank 40 this season,” said Newell.

“Neil Edwards has been unfortunate in that injury has ruled him out of contention for most of the season but he’ll be keen to make an impression.

“We have a shortlist of targets who we believe can improve our batting and we’ll make signings if the right players are keen to join us.”